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sportsFriday 29 December 2017
Top Sports story 2017
Continued from Page 18
In this June 12, 2017, file photo, Golden State Warriors guard
Klay Thompson, from left, guard Stephen Curry and forward
Kevin Durant celebrate after Game 5 of basketball’s NBA Finals
against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif.
Associated Press
In this Nov. 1, 2017, file photo, the Houston Astros celebrate
after Game 7 of baseball’s World Series against the Los Angeles
Dodgers in Los Angeles. pressing patriotism.
Associated Press
But he pushed back against er of the free world and
the suggestion that his cri- this is what you’re talking
tique could inflame racial about?” Miami Dolphins
tensions, arguing: “This has safety Michael Thomas
nothing to do with race. said. “So, as a man, as a
This has to do with respect father, as an African-Amer-
for our country.” ican man, as somebody in
But critics of the president the NFL and one of those
said Trump’s comments ‘sons of bitches,’ yeah, I
had a lot to do with race. took it personally.”
“It just amazes me with NFL Commissioner Roger
everything else going on Goodell said Trump’s com-
in this world, especially in- ments were “divisive” and
volving the U.S., that’s what showed an “unfortunate
you’re concerned about, lack of respect.”
my man? You’re the lead- A handful of white players
In this Jan. 6, 2017, file photo Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a
shot in his quarterfinal match against Milos Raonic of Canada
at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane,
Australia. Brisbane International due
In this Feb. 5, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots’ Tom Brady raises the Vince Lombardi Trophy
after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in overtime at the NFL Super Bowl 51 football game in Houston.
Associated Press
didn’t stand, but the vast sparked a firestorm that getting hurt, recently pro-
majority of those actively reached across financial posed contributing tens of
protesting were black. and cultural landscapes, millions of dollars to proj-
“We felt like President further splitting a nation al- ects focused on criminal
Trump’s speech was an as- ready divided over politics justice reform, law enforce-
sault on our most cherished and social issues. ment and community rela-
right, freedom of speech,” Kaepernick sued the tions and education.
said Denver Broncos star league, alleging team own- “I give kudos to the NFL for
Von Miller, who normally ers conspired to keep him wanting to step up and
steers clear of politics and out in response to his activ- help us with regard to sys-
social issues. ism. Hall of Fame Cowboys temic oppression,” 49ers
Trump supporters argued owner Jerry Jones suggest- safety Eric Reid said. “I
the president was not tar- ed he’d fire any player who question their intent behind
geting African-Americans knelt even though none of it. I personally think they just
but instead was simply ex- his had done so. want the protests to end
Papa John’s Pizza founder because it’s hurting their
“Me taking a knee doesn’t John Schnatter criticized bottom line.”
change the fact that I sup- Goodell over his refusal to The movement and the
port our military, I’m a pa- force players to stand and arguments over it show no
triot and I love my coun- blamed the protests for a sign of abating in the new
try,” Buffalo Bills linebacker slowing sales growth at one year.
Lorenzo Alexander said. of the league’s biggest “I’m not really sure where
“But I also recognize there sponsors and advertisers. the movement heads after
are some social injustices The company apologized this, but I know we made
in this country and today I for his comments following some progress by getting
wanted to take a knee in praise from white suprema- some funding for some
support of my brothers who cists and said recently that inner-city programs and
have been doing it.” Schnatter is stepping down things that we care about,
Although the protests re- as CEO in 2018. different social programs
turned to pre-Trump criti- The NFL, already dealing and things like that,” Bron-
cism levels as the season with a dip in TV ratings, the cos linebacker Brandon
wound down, the presi- ongoing concussion issue Marshall said. “So, I think we
dent’s feud with the NFL and a rash of star players made some headway.”q
Rafael Nadal withdraws
from Brisbane International
BRISBANE, Australia (AP) — he had received word of due pain in his right knee,
Top-ranked Rafael Nadal Nadal’s withdrawal earlier had earlier tweeted: “I am
has withdrawn from the in the day. The joint ATP sorry to announce I won’t
and WTA tournament be- be coming to Brisbane this
to his “late start of prepa- gins Sunday at Pat Rafter year. My intention was to
ration” for the new season. Arena. Nadal, who pulled play but I am still not ready
Brisbane International tour- out of the ATP Finals in Lon- after last year’s long sea-
nament director Cameron don after a loss to David son and the late start of
Pearson said Thursday that Goffin in mid-November my preparation.”q